A lifetime ban imposed on three prominent filmmakers by the Bangladesh Film Directors Association has triggered fresh controversy, with the expelled directors alleging they were punished without being served show-cause notices or given an opportunity to defend themselves. An executive committee member has also questioned whether the association followed its own constitution.
Association leaders said members unanimously approved the decision at Saturday’s annual general meeting. They alleged that directors Badiul Alam Khokon, Monjurul Islam Megh and Riazul Rizu damaged the organisation’s reputation and engaged in activities against the association.
The dispute stems from a legal battle that began nearly a year ago. In May 2025, Khokon challenged the association’s election in court, claiming it had not been conducted in accordance with the constitution. The court stayed the election on 8 May, but voting went ahead the following day, prompting allegations that the order had been ignored. On 12 May, the court suspended the election process and its results, and ordered a summons against the late filmmaker Abdul Latif Bacchu, who chaired the election commission.
Association leaders further alleged that Megh and Rizu supported Khokon’s legal challenge and took part in what they described as a malicious social media campaign against the organisation. They said the disciplinary action was based on those activities.
The three directors, however, denied the allegations and insisted they had never received any show-cause notice or chance to explain their position before the lifetime ban was imposed.
“We are victims of personal vendetta. Shaheen Sumon and his group have been running the association in their own way for a long time. We protested against that, and this is the result,” Khokon said.
An executive committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, also questioned the process. He said the association’s constitution requires a written show-cause notice and an opportunity for the accused to defend themselves before any final expulsion. If the explanation is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter should then be placed before the general meeting for members’ approval.
He claimed that procedure was not followed despite the meeting being attended by more than 100 members, alleging the decision was driven by personal grievances rather than constitutional rules.
“There is much more behind this incident. I do not want to reveal everything now, but I will speak out soon. Badiul Alam Khokon is an established director. He did not simply appear out of nowhere,” he said.
Megh also said the association had never contacted him before announcing the expulsion and that he had received no notice regarding the matter.
The association’s president and general secretary were unavailable for comment.
Executive committee member Bulbul Biswas, however, defended the decision, saying it fully complied with the constitution.
“The decision was taken following the constitution. Around 350 members attended the general meeting, and almost all of them supported expelling the three directors,” he said.
Biswas also referred to previous allegations of financial irregularities against Khokon during his tenure as association president, saying he had been given an opportunity to respond at the time but failed to do so properly.
“They now say the decision was taken in their absence. But every member received notice to attend the general meeting, and they were aware of it. Why did they choose not to attend?” he added.
